Method for baling fibers and the like



June 29, 1954 c. w. cox 2,682,137 I METHOD FOR BALING FIBERS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 5, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTQR. CHARLES W COX BY I June 29, 1954 c. w. COX

METHOD FOR BALING FIBERS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 5. 1948 I .Ji:

l I I l I l l INVENTOR. CHARLES W COX 6mm QQN Ikqtb NEE June 29, 1954 c. w. cox

METHOD FOR BALING FIBERS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 5. 1948 INVENTOR. CHARLES W COX June 29, 1954 c. w. cox

METHOD FOR BALING FIBERS AND THE LIKE 5 SheetsSheec 4 Filed Nov. 5, 1948 -h REV June 29, 1954 Filed Nov. 5. 1948 C. W. COX

METHOD FOR BALING FIBERS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. CHARLES W COX Patented June 29, 1954 UNITED STATES METHODFOR BALING FIBERS AND THE LIKE Charles W. Cox, St. Albans, W. Va., assignor to American Viscose Corporation,

Wilmington,

Del., a corporation'of Delaware Application November 5, 1948, Serial No. 58,534

lClaim'. 1.

This invention relates tomethods for baling or packaging staple fiber and the like andother fibrous or particulate material, such as grass, hay, alfalfa, etc.

It is an object of the invention to. provide an improved system of packaging fibrous materials, whichterm in the present-specification and-the claims is intended tobe generic to all types of materials which it may be desirable to'compress for the preparation of a package for storage, shipment and the like. A more particular object of the invention isto, provide an improved system of packaging in which the material to'be packaged is preliminarily compressed and then transferred after compression into a wrapper, such-as a cartonfor protecting the product during shipment, storage and the'like.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic apparatus adapted to carry out the invention. Other objects and advantages of, the invention will be apparentrirom the drawing and the-description thereof hereinafter.

In the drawing, which is illustrative of the invention, a preferred: form of an automatic apparatus constituting one embodiment and adapted. to executethe, methods ofthe invention in an eificientmanner; is shown.

Figure l is a side elevation of the automatic apparatus with cylinder (see Figure 2') removed to facilitate a clear showing. Also the 1 hydraulic lines tothe cylinders and the control for those lines are removed'to'clarify the illustration.

Figured is a section-taken on lines 11-11 of Figures 1 and 3,

Figure 3 is'an endview with the carton magazine andbaling chamber in section,

Figure 4 is a section'on line IV-IV of Fig.- ure 2,

Figure 5 is; a longitudinal section through the baling chamber online V-V of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical and hydraulic connections for operating the automatic apparatus,

Figure '7 is a graph showing operation of. the timer,

Figure 8- is a face viewv ofan end carton blank,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of; the main carton blank. before flattening, and

FigurelOis a verticalmid-section through the ram and feedend of: the tamping chamber.

The present invention. generally involves the pressing of the material to be baled: in an endwise direction while: confining it within lateral limits, and after sufiicient material has been 2 compressed inthis fashion, transferring the material endwise into an--open-ended carton. Before the transfer is made, a closing carton end is placed against one end of the compressed material, and this. car-ton end is simultaneously transferred with the material into the carton, the material entering first and the carton end closing the open end of the receiving carton, after which the carton isv bound, fastened or secured, as by. strapping and then discharged for storage or shipment. This compressing action within: laterally confining walls provides a compact masswhich-has a tendency to expand endwise andL-v'ery'little of, such tendency in other directions; The greatest pressure is, therefore,

exerted on the ends having comparatively small areas, but the bulging at-the ends, can easily be prevented or reduced to :an unobjectionable' minimum by a single? strap. The lateral surfaces of the cartonhaving practically no bul'ging tendency but the compacted fibers supporter back up the cartonsidesas well as the ends so that a sound paokageis obtained, the container walls of which are well, protected-against deformation or puncture when accidentally dropped or struck by-otherobjects.

As shown in the'drawing, the invention comprises as one aspect an automatic apparatus for accomplishing the method hereinabove described. This apparatus comprises a, rarni adapted to" be reciprocated through'ata'mping, packing or compressing chamber one or more times, depending upon how compact it is, desired that the package be and-therelativeamount of material received at a single feedingcomparedto the dimensions of the package finally desired. The apparatus also comprises a baling or packaging chamber adapted to receive a carton and to hold such carton while the packed or compressed material is transferred'from-the tamping chamber. Other auxiliary means necessary inform a complete packaging operation will be mentioned as they come into the descriptionv hereinafter.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the press comprises-a hollow casing it supported on suitable pedestals l6 and H. The interior of the casing isdivided into two main chambers i8 and l9, the former serving-as a tamping or compressing chamber, and the latter serving as a packaging orbaling chamber.- A vertically reciprocable plate 20, having an aperture 2! (see Figures) in its lower end slides within a suitable guideway formed byg-grooves 22 in the op,- posed upright members 23'. The plate 20 passes through-slots 24 and2'5in the upper and lower.

walls respectively of the casing I5 and additional guiding members 25 provided with grooves 21 may be disposed onopposite sides of the path of the plate 23 beneath the casing I5. The plate '25 is operated by a piston reciprocably driven within the cylinder 5 by means of a fluid, and preferably a liquid. The aperture 2| is sufficiently large to allow the passage of the ram 28 which operates within the casing I5. The crosssection of the ram corresponds with that of the interior of casing I5 but is somewhat smaller, so as to provide a clearance of about to /4 inch or so around the front end of the ram. This allows the ram head 28 to fit within the folded side flaps of the first carton end to be inserted. A slide bearing strip 28a (see Figure of brass or the like may be provided beneath the ram or all around it at the back portion thereof. The cross-section may be round, oblong or any desired shape but a rectangular or specifically a square section is preferred. The ram 28 is connected by means of the rod 29 to a piston within the main ram cylinder 30 which is hydraulically operated.

An opening 3| in the top of the casing I5 (Figure 2 and 10) serves as the entrance for the material to be packaged and a hopper 32 may be provided to guide the material into the entrance. This opening 3| is preferably near the end of the casing I5 to which the ram 28 moves when it is retracted. While horizontal disposition of the casing and ram is shown, the invention is equally adaptable to vertical disposition with the chamber I9 below IS. A downwardly inclined chute would then serve to feed the fiber through opening 3| in the side.

At the top of the casing I5 and extending from the ram end under the hopper 32, there is provided a slidable closure or cover plate 3|a which Slides through a slot SI!) and along the guideway formed between the fixed plates 3Ic and 3|d. A transverse bracket 3|e secures a permanent or electromagnetic magnet 3| to the underside of cover 3 Ia. The ram head is of a magnetic material so that forward movement of the head 28 draws the plate am into position closing the opening 3|. The abutment -3| g limits the forward motion of the plate 3|a but the ram 28 positively engages and pushes the plate 3|a. out

of opening 3| on the return stroke of the ram.

A plate 33 is reciprocated vertically by a piston within cylinder I adjacent the end of easing I5 from which the final package is adapted to be discharged. Members 34 are provided to serve as a guideway for the plate 33.

When plate 33 is in its lower position serving to close the discharge end of the casing I5 and plate 25 is in its lower position, the tamping chamber I8 is separated from the packaging chamber I3. This makes it possible to position the wrapper materials within the packaging chamber I9 and then after closing the plate 20 to feed and tamp the material to be packaged within the chamber I5 Without disturbing the wrapper sections in position within the chamber Means is provided for inserting wrapper sections into the packaging chamber and for some of these sections use is made of the ram, whereas for others, a separate means is provided. The means for inserting the main body of the carton comprises a hopper or magazine 35 disposed to one side of the packaging chamber. The adjacent side wall 33 of the packaging chamber I9 is hinged as at 31 (Figure 3) and is adapted to be swung to closed position shown in solid lines in Figure 3 and to the open position shown in dotted lines in Figure 3 by hydraulic means comprising the cylinder I and the rod 38 connecting a piston within the cylinder to a lug 39 on the side wall or door 35. The cylinder I is pivotally mounted at 40 and the rod 38 makes a pivotal connection with lug 39 in order to allow of the swinging motion. When the door 36 is in its wide-open position it is inclined downwardly from the horizontal in the direction away from the hinge 37 and serves as a guiding support for the carton body to be inserted. The carton bodies 4| (see Figure 9) constitute a hollow sleeve of cardboard, prefolded so as to form the proper shape when reopened upon insertion into the packaging chamber. In the magazine 35, however, they are flattened to a closed position. The cartons 4| rests upon spaced supporting members 42 between which the cross-head 43 secured to the piston rod 44 and carrying rigidly secured thereto a carton-pushing plate 45, is adapted to reciprocate. An opening 46 extends clear across the bottom of the wall of hopper 35 which faces the packaging chamber I9 so that when the piston in cylinder 2 is moved to the right as viewed in Figure 3, plate 45 forces the lowermost carton 4| through the slot 46 into position on top of the bottom of chamber I9 and the open door 38. Motion of the pusher-plate 45 in the opposite direction slides it out of the cartons 4| and allows the next lower carton to fall into position for insertion on the next stroke of the pusher-plate 45. The upper edge of the door 36 has a longitudinal projection, lip, or ridge 36a, and when the door 36 is swung upwardly into closed position, the ridge 36a catches the carton edge and forces the carton to open itself automatically. It finally occupies its position in the packaging chamber I9 with all of the four walls of the carton in close proximity to the four Walls of the chamber. It will be noted particularly, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, that the inside dimensions within the packaging chamher are somewhat larger than the inside dimensions within the compressing chamber I8 so that when the carton 4| is disposed within the chamber I9 the inside walls of the carton 4| leave an unobstructed passage somewhat larger than the passage within chamber I8. If desired, this unobstructed pass-age within the carton 4| may be substantially the same in cross-section as the passage in chamber I8, but it is preferred to have a little favoring of the carton to facilitate insertion of the carton ends and the material to be baled.

The press is provided near the feeding end with an arrangement for feeding the carton ends into the path of the ram at proper times relative to the other operation of the machine. This arrangement comprises an apertured slide 41 connected by a rod 48 to the piston within the cylinder 5 and reciprocable transversely of the casing I5 through a slot having upper and lower walls 48 and 5E! respectively constituting a guideway therefor. The slide 41 has two apertures 5| and 52 spaced apart by an intervening rib 53 so that when one of the apertures is in alignment with the chamber I3 of casing I5 the other is in alignment with one of the loading systems 54. As shown in the drawings, the two loadings systems are similar in construction but one is turned around relative to the other for purposes that will be apparent from the description hereinafter. Each loading system 54 comprises a lower chamber 55 in alignment with one of the apertures 5| 5. or SE-When the other of such apertures is in alignment with the chamber ll! of the press. This loading chamber- 55 may be considered to be defined by a stationary backing plate 55 and the end Wall and lateral walls of a recessed enclosing member to which is concentrically secured a supporting flange 51 for one of the operating cylinders i and ii. Each of these cylinders is provided with a piston connected by a rod 58 to a recessing head 59. A vertical slideway is provided between members 60 and iii for guiding the slide 62. This slide 62 is secured by an arm 63 and a connecting rod (it to a piston within one of the driving cylinders 3 and t for reciprocating the slide into and out of the loading chamber 55. When the slide 62 is in its upper position, its thin lower end is in alignment with a number of carton ends 65 in a magazine thereof. One of the pistons in cylinders l I and I2 urges a plate 66 by means of the connecting rod ti against the back of the magazine of carton ends which are in flattened condition during such storage. This pressure against the carton ends is maintained constant regardless of the number of such carton ends in the magazine, as it is dependent on the pressure of the fluid in the cylinders. The shoulder 68 is disposed above the foremost carton end in the magazine when the slide 62 is in its uppermost position so that upon the next downward motion of the slide, moves the foremost carton end downwardly into the loading chamber 55 where it is disposed in the way of the recessing ram or head it} between such head and one of the apertures i and 52. As will appear hereinafter, carton ends may be moved downwardly into the loading chambers 55 on both sides of the press simultaneously, if desired, by means of the slide t2 and after such loading, the slides 62 return to their uppermost position in readiness for the next loading stroke. It will be noted that the apertures of and 52 are of approximately the same size as the internal cross-section of chamber H? but the overall dimensions of the flattened carton ends as disposed in the magazines are considerably larger to the extent of four lateral or peripheral flaps F spaced around the central portion C as shown in Figure 8. Hence, when the recessing head 59' moves forward and presses the carton end into one of the apertures 5| and 52, the edge portions are bent backwardly over the outer edges of the ram 51-3.

The first position of slide 4'? in the baling cycle is such that aperture ill (see Figure 4) is in alignment with its loading chamber 55 and aperture 52 is in alignment with the main ram head 28 in casing l5. During or after the insertion of the main wrapper section or carton body ll, the piston in cylinder '3 moves the recessing head 59 forward, thereby folding the lateral flaps F at a 90 angle to the central area C of the end wrapper section or carton end and disposing the folded carton end entirely within aperture 55, the thickness of the slide M being at least the width of flaps F. The piston in cylinder 4 then retracts the head 59 and cylinder 5 shifts the slide All so that the folded carton end in aperture 5] is in alignment with the ram head 28 which then pushes the carton end clear through both the tamping chamber and the packaging chamher in which the main carton body has already been inserted until it comes to rest with its main area C against the endgate 33 and its flaps F in contact with the inside wall of the main carton body 4!.

After insertion of theone end of the carton,

the ram head 28 is returned and cylinder '6 lowers the plate Ettoclose on" baling chamber ill from tamping chamber [8.

After the ram head 28 has been returned, the material to be baled, such as staple fiber, or a portion thereof, is fed through hopper 32 into the casing [5. The ram head 38 then moves forward to a position which is spaced from plate 2!] a distance corresponding approximately to the length of the package to be made, that is, the distance between plate at and end plate 33. In moving to this position, it compresses the material in chamber it against the plate 20. A dog 69 fixedly carried on a rod it projecting from a collar H rigidly attached to the piston rod 29 opens a toggle switch l2 through the finger l3 and this operates electrically to stop the forward motion of the ram and to immediately reverse the ram. If, as is generally the case, more than one such portionof the material is desired in the final package, the ram head 28 returns, a second portion is fed into the casing, this portion is compressed; and so on, until the amount introduced is sufficient for the final package desired. A pressure switch it connected to the cylinder 33 serves to-control the amount of material to form the package. Means operated by the pressure switch Hi and described hereinafter is provided for rendering switch l2 ineffective after sufficient material is tamped against plate 20 so that the ram head 28 can insert the closing carton end, and after strapping, will complete the stroke to eject the completed bale, and another to introduce the first carton end.

On each return stroke of the head 28, a dog 15 on a rod l6 secured to collar "H opens a valve TI (normally held closed by an internal spring, which, however, allows a return flow from the top of cylinder it during upward motion of the piston therein), by means of the actuating finger ill and this allows the hydraulic liquid to flow through line it connected to link I29 into the top of cylinder iii to lower a set of fiber-retaining rods 353 connected to a common rod 8| to the piston in cylinder ill. Dog it is of sufficient length to assure complete lowering of rods 8% before dog it releases finger it which then causes valve "H to close under spring return action. The position of ram head 2% at which the rods 88 are lowered is just after the head 23 has passed under the rods 8% so that such rods serve to prevent the material from re-expanding and following the ram head 2t under the feed entrance 3| to the casing Hi. This keeps this entrance clear for a fresh supply of material after every return stroke.

A dog 82 on rod it closes switch it which causes the ram to again move forward until switch i2 is again opened. by dog 69. This reciprocation occurs until the material tamped creates sufiicient resisting pressure to actuate switch 74 which through a relay system described hereinbelow renders the switch ineffective so that dogs 59 and 822 can no longer limit and control the movements of the ram head 28.

After pressure switch Ed thus cuts out switch 32, the ram head 2% returns, the piston in cylinder 9 advances the recessing head to insert the closing carton end into aperture 52, and then returns, the piston in cylinder shifts the loaded. aperture 52 into the casing it, and then the ram head It advances to press the closing carton end the tamped material. At the same time plateEQ is raised. Since the aperture 52 is loaded from the side opposite that from which the aperture 5| is loaded, the lateral flaps are bent toward the tamped material and are the first parts of the carton end to engage the material.

When the ram head 28 has advanced to bringthe carton end against the material While pressing it to bale size in chamber I9, dog 83 closes a spring-return or spring-release switch 84 by engaging a finger 85. This stops the ram 28 for reasons explained hereinafter in the position shown in Figure 5, and operates a time relay.

This stoppage is followed by insertion of the strip 86 of flexible strapping material, such as of springsteel, by means of the feed rolls 81 and 88. To facilitate the insertion of strip 86, the bottom of the baling chamber I9 is provided with a. shallow groove 39 (Figure 5), the plate 20 is provided with an arcuate-bottomed notch 90, the ram head 2| is provided with a groove 9|, the upper edge of the aperture in plate 20 is provided with an arcuate-bottomed notch 92, the top wall of the chamber I9 has a groove 93, and the end plate 33 has a groove 94 terminating with gradually sloped curves at $5 and 99. A groove 91 in the lower edge of the end plate 33 deflects the upwardly fed strip 86 into the groove 89 and the curved bottom surfaces of notches 90, 92, and the curves 95 and 95 guide the leading end of the strip around the corners, and the flexibility of the strip allows it to be forced to encircle the closed carton and to overlap itself along the bottom wall.

Any suitable means for fastening may be employed, such as spot welding, banding or crimping. A door 93 allows the insertion of a conventional banding device for tightening and fastening the overlapped ends of the strip together and cuttin the fastened strip from that supply.

Figure 6 shows electrical and hydraulic circuits for operating the system automatically in proper sequence. The electrical circuit lines are dotted while the hydraulic or pneumatic circuit lines are solid. Most of the actions in the baling cycle are controlled by a multiple switch timer operated by a motor 99. The shaft I of this motor carries ten cams IIH, I02, I03, I04, I05, Ia, I06, I'B'i, I90, I99, which may be closely spaced to make a compact unit but in the drawings are shown widely spaced to facilitate illustration. Each cam has a high portion which presses a swingably mounted switch arm against a fixed contact to close an electric circuit. The time during which the switch remains closed is determined by the arcuate length of the cam rise. The relative times of closing and duration of Closing of the several switches by the cams are shown in Figure 7 in which the dark bars represent the rises of the respective cams.

Operation The description of the operation could start with any stage of the cycle since once the machine is started, the cycle is repeated. As a matter of convenience, the following description starts at the time the tamped material acquires sufficient compactness to close the pressure switch 14 since this starts operation of the control motor 93. At this time, a main carton section 4| and the first carton end are disposed within the baling chamber IE5 and the slide 41 is disposed with the opening in in the casing I5 and opening 52 in readiness to receive the other carton end disposed between it and the corresponding recessing head 50.

The main switch H0 is closed during the operation of the machine. Lead-lines III and H2 then are in circuit with the source of electricity H3, such as 110 volt A. C. The coil of a normally open relay H4 is connected at one end through line I I5 to line I I2 and at the other side through line I Ilia to one terminal of switch 14 so that when switch 74 is closed, the contactor of relay I I4 closes the circuit through lines I I I, I I6, motor 99, line Ill, and line II2. Pushbutton H9 in line H9 provides an alternate circuit for driving motor 99 under the control of the operator.

Immediately after motor 99 starts, cam IOI closes the switch associated with it, thereby connectingline II9 to motor 99, through leads IOIa and Iilib. This cam, therefore, acts to provide a holding circuit for the motor 99 cutting off the motor current at the end of the timer sequence as shown in Figure 7. Also, when motor 99 starts, cam use closes the switch between lines I and 52I, the former being connected to line H2 and the latter to the coil of a normally closed relay I22. The other end of this coil is connected through lines iii! to line II I so that energization of relay I22 opens its contactor and the circuit from line III to line I23 and switch I2 is broken. In addition, the current flow is interrupted from switch 72 through lines I24 and I25 to the coil I28 of the solenoid-operated four-way hydraulic valve which may be the conventional spool valve Well known in the hydraulic power art. This ole-energizes the coil and the valve It? is returned to ole-energized position under the influence of a spring. The valve I2! is connected to the ends of the main ram cylinder by pipes 528 and IE9 and is connected to the hydraulic power source, such as a pump I30 by means of pipe I3I connected to the common feed line The discharge line I33 connects the valve I2? to the reservoir I34 through a common line E35. When de-energization of coil I28 thus shifts valve IZ'I, the hydraulic fluid is passed through line I29 to return the ram head 28. On each return of the ram 28, dog 15 opens valve 7'! which causes cylinder I0 to lower rods 80 immediately after the head 28 passes therebelow.

Cam I95 closes the circuit through coil I36 by means of lines I31 and H2 on one side and lines E38, I39, II9, and III on the other side. This energization of coil I36 shifts valve I40 and causes oil flow from line It! through line I42 into cylinder 9, thereby moving the recessing head 59 against the carton end and forcing the latter into aperture 52. Cam I05 then opens the circuit to coil I36 which reverses valve I40 and feeds the hydraulic fluid through line I43 to the other end of cylinder 9, thereby returning the recessing head 59. Then cam I05a closes the circuit to solenoid Hi l which shifts valve I45 and causes the hydraulic liquid to flow through line I45a to the cylinder 5 and this causes shifting of the aperture plate 4'5 to bring aperture 52 into alignment in casing I5.

Then cam I94 closes the circuit between lines I43 and I47. Line I46 is connected through lines I I9 to line I I I, and line I4! is connected through one of two normally closed contactors of a relay 48 to line IE9 and one end of coil I26, the other end of which coil is connected by lines I59 and I511 to line II2. This energization of coil I26 shifts valve I2! which elevates rods 80 and advances the ram head 28, forcing the closing carton end into the baling chamber.

At, or shortly after, the beginning of this stroke of the ram head 28, cam I01 closes the circuit through the coil I60 of the solenoid-operated valve IEiI. Thisshifts valve Ifil to pass the liquid through line 562 into cylinder 8, thereby raising the plate 28 between tamping and baling chambers I8 and 59.

The ram head 28 continues to advance and forces the tamped material and closing carton end into the baling chamber. When the position shown in Figure is attained, dog Sit trips switch 84 which energizes a time relay I58 thereby closing its contactor and energizing solenoid $52 which closes valve I53 and stops the ram head 28. The time relay I58 permits the strapping operation hereinabove described and also the lif ing of the end gate 33 which is effected by the cam Its closing the circuit between lines it? and IE4 and energizing coil I85 which is connected to line i I2 by line I86. Coil I85 shifts the valve I660: and causes flow of liquid into the lower end of cylinder I through line I61.

When the gate 33 is up, the time relay I58 interrupts the current through coil I52 and this opens valve I53, allowing liquid flow into cylinder 38 to advance the ram head 28 and eject the package.

The dwell of cam I84 then opens its switch which breaks the circuit through lines I il, I69, and the coil i228, causing the Valve I21 to shift and return the ram head 28 to fully retracted position. During this return stroke of ram head 28, cam I08 opens its switch, so that coil IE5 is de-energized and the gate 33 is lowered.

Then cam Hit closes the circuit between lines I88 and I69 energizing coil IIE! connected by line HI to line H2. This shifts valve [12 and causes liquid to flow from pipe 513 through pipe II -i into the upper end of cylinder I for opening and lowering the side wall 36 of the packaging chamher it. When the wall 36 is completely lowered, sequence valve I'Ili opens, allowing liquid into the left end of cylinder 2, thereby causing the plate 65 to push a carton body section 4| into place on the bottom and lowered side wall of chamber 58. The sequence valve H5 is of the type allowing free how in the reverse direction. The so-called counterbalance valve, directly operated, internal drain of Vickers, Inc., shown in Figure 13 of that companys catalog copyrighted 1946 and entitled Vickers Pressure Control, Hydrocushion type Valves for Oil Hydraulic Systems,

Bulletin 45-34, is an example of the type that may be used.

While liquid flows through pipe H t it also fiows through a branch H8 and branches Ill and H8 therefrom into the upper ends of cylinders 3 and 8 which causes each of the slides 82 to move a carton end down into the loading chambers 55 on either side of the casing it. When cam its opens its switch, the valve I'IZ shifts and the pistons in cylinders I, 2, 3 and 8 all return to their former positions. A sequence valve I18 (like I) assures the return of plate :35 before side wall 35 is closed.

Then cam I82 closes the circuit between lines I88 and H81, energizing coil I82 connected by line I83 to line H2. This shifts valve I84 and feeds liquid from pipe I85 through pipe I86 into cylinder 4, causing the recessing head 58 to insert the first carton end into aperture 5| of the aperture plate. Then the dwell of cam I82 opens the circuit to coil I82, shifting the valve I86 and feeding liquid into the other end of cylinder 4 through pipe iBl. After the recessing head is retracted, cam R850; opens the circuit to solenoid I4 3, allowing spring return of valve I45 which causes flow of hydraulic liquid to the outward end 10 of cylinder 5. This shifts plate 4! and disposes the loaded carton end in aperture M in the path of ram head 29 in the main casing and the empty aperture 52 in readiness to receive its carton end previously lowered into the loading chamber as above described.

Then cam I83 closes the circuit between lines E98 and IBI, energizing coil 592 of relay Hi8, opening the two normally closed contactors and clos ing the normally open contactor I83. The contactor Hi3 energizes coil I28 through lines I24 and I25, I58, I5I, and H2 on the one hand and lines HI, M9, E93, and IS! on the other. This shifts valve I2? causing the main ram head 28 to move forward and push the carton end through to the end of the packaging chamber. Since the closing of the switch associated with cam I83 shifts the contactor of the relay I48, the middle contactor element thereof opens the circuit between lines M! and IE4 so that there is a dead circuit through switch 84 and hence when the dog 33 trips the finger 85, nothing happens to stop the forward motion of the-ram head 28, and the carton end is pushed through to the very end of the packaging chamber.

As cam I83 comes to the end of its rise, its corresponding switch is opened and the coil I 82 of relay I48 is deenergized, The shifting of contactor I93 opens the circuit through the solenoid I26 so that valve I21 shifts and the ram head 23 starts to return. At the end of this return stroke, cam I87 breaks the circuit through solenoid I68 which causes shifting of the valve I8I and the lowering of the middle slide gate 26] by virtue of the descent of the piston in cylinder At about the same time, cam I08 opens the circuit between lines 52% and IZI, daenergizing the solenoid of relay I22. This closes the circuit from line HI through lines 23, i8 3, switch l2, lines I24, I25, solenoid I26, lines use, iEI and II2. As a result of the closing of this circuit and of the closing of switch l2 by dog 82 at the end of the return stroke of the ram head 23, solenoid I28 is energized and shifts valves I21,

,1 causing the ram 28 to advance and when the foremost slope 15b of dog I5 opens valve Il, which occurs before the ram head reaches the rods, the rods 88 are caused to be lifted. This forward motion of the ram presses the fiber or other material introduced through the hopper into the tamping chamber I8 and the forward motion of the ram is limited by dog 88 which opens the switch I2 through the finger i3. Opening of this switch reverses valve I21, causing the liquid to flow through line I28 into the other end of cylinder 38. As the ram 28 is thus returned, the dog I5 opens valve Ii through finger T8, the rearmost end 15a of such dog being set upon the rod 18 in such a position that the valve ii is opened just after the ram 28 passes the rods Fill. Opening of valve TI causes the liquid to flow through line I9 into the upper end of cylinder E8, thereby lowering rods 88 to hold the fiber or other material and to keep it from following with the ram 28. When the ram returns, dog 82 closes switch I2 causing the rain to again move forward, pressing the staple or other material into the tamping chamber. This reciprocation of the rain and the retaining rods 88 occurs until suificient material has been tamped in the chamber It to actuate the pressure switch M, at which time the sequence of operations hereinbefore described is repeated.

A fluid line 283 branches off line I32 and leads to a valve 284, the spool of which is actuable by the hand lever 265. Normally, the valve is set to direct the liquid through line 266 to the closed ends of cylinders I I and I2, thereby urging plates 66 against the carton ends in the magazines. To release the plates 66, lever 205 is shifted to direct the liquid through line 207. The valve 204 is provided with discharge pipe 208.

It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in the appended claim.

I claim:

A method of assembling and packing a carton with loose material which comprises the steps of squaring the four side walls of the main carton body, inserting an end wall into said main carton body, forcing said end wall longitudinally through said main carton body, precompressing a charge of loose material to substantially the volume and shape of the main carton body outside of and in alignment with an opened end of the carton body, pressing the charge into the carton body, and completely exteriorly supporting the four side walls of the carton body and the end wall while said charge is pressed into the body.

References Cited in the file of this patent Number Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Smades Feb. 5, 1889 Jenkins Sept. 7, 1909 Sheppard Dec. 15, 1914 Becker Sept. 7, 1920 Peterson Nov. 29, 1921 Ferguson June 2, 1925 Troth May 27, 1930 Loos Mar. 22, 1938 Luery Aug. 23, 1938 Deubener June 15, 1943 Barrows et a1 Dec. 28, 1943 Donahue July 25, 1944 Weeks June 18, 1946 Fourness et al Dec. 31, 1946 Rumsey June 21, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Dec. 27, 1939 

